Detachable radiator tube



Feb. 25, I930. A. E. HUGHES DETACHABLE RADIATOR TUBE Filed Jan. 11. 1928 Patented Feb. 25, 1930 PATENT OFFICE ALFRED EDWIN HUGHES, OF STOCKPORT, ENGLAND DETACHABLE RADIATOR TUBE Application filed January 11, 1928. Serial No. 246,063.

. I "This invention relates to detachable tubes for radiators and the like and has for its ob- T ject an improved detachable tube which is easily fitted and removed and'which is adapted to'provide a radiator of increased efii ciency.

In tubular radiators the tubes are arranged between headers or containers which hold the bulk of the water and in which are provided the necessary connections for the usual flexible tube connections to the water jacket of theengine. Thecirculation of the water in 1 the, system is downwardly through the radiator tubes and asthe aggregate cross-sec- I l tional area of such tubes is alwaysconsiderablylargerthan the cross-sectional area of the connectors, there is a tendency for those in the centre of the radiator and nearestfto such connectors to receive the greater part of the circulation thus reducing the cooling efficiency of the radiator.

According to thepresent invention animproveddetachable radiator tube is provided having a restriction at either or both ends whereby a more'even distribution of the circulation is obtained, the water remaining longer in the tubes and more efficient cooling resulting. i The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention in which I Fig.1 is a part sectional elevation of one form of detachable radiator tube.

Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are sectional elevations of an end of atube of modified constructions.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 the detachable radiator tube comprises a thin brass tube a having at its upper end a fixed collar 1), sliding collar 0' and spring d and at its lower end a l 0 collar 6. The tubes-are-arranged between upper and lower headers f and g, the joint being sealed at each end by'means of rubber packing ring it surrounded by a sleeve j and adapted to be pressed by the end of the collar against the face of the header, the rubber ring beingthe same diameter asthe end of the collar which latter is adapted to enter the sleeve 7' tocompress the ring. On the intermediate ortion of the tube between the two fixed col ars are cooling vanes, shaped and example shown in Fig. 3 the'collar is arranged as a casting as in'the example shown 0 in Fig. 1 with the extension is and restricted passage m, but having an upper extension 0 fitting into the tube a instead of being recessed-to receive the end of the tube. As shown in Fig. 4 the collar is similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but the end of the tube is swaged over at n as in Fig. 2 to provide the restriction, the extension of the collar itself being relatively unrestricted.

- As shown in Fig. 5 the restriction is provided at the upper end of the-tube by means of a channel-shaped washer p, which is pushed into theend of the tube and secured by solder when thetube is dipped to fasten the vanes or gills. I

Obviously it is relatively immaterial at which end of the tubes the restriction is provided so'that in each of the above described examples the restriction may be provided at either end of the tube. When provided at 80 the upper end of the tube however, there is the advantage that any obstructions in the water'will be caught at the top of the tube or will pass through without lodging therein and will therefore be easily removed.

In use, the tube is fitted by inserting the upper end into the top header when it. may be raised far enough to allow the lower end to be brought into register with the correct hole in the lower header. While fitting the 90 tube, the spring may have been previously compressed and secured thus by clips to facilitate the fitting, being released when the tube is in position or may be compressed by the lifting action of fitting the tube. When 95 in position, thespring (Z causes the collars 0 and e to be pressed against their respective rubber packing rings h which in turn are pressed against the faces of their headers. The sleeves j serve to contain the rubber rings so that they cannot become displaced or un.- duly distorted and thus allow a relatively soft and flexible texture of packing to be used, providing an easy and efficient seal which will remain efiective under most severe conditions of vibration or mal-alignment. The

sleeves, also cause the rubber to. grip the tube so that a direct seal therewith can heobtained.

The packing will preferably be rubber, though other kinds of packing may beused, as the rubber is rendered part-1y plastic by the heat and adheres firmly to the parts, forming a very effective seal.

lVhat I claim is 2- '1. A detachable radiator tube, comprising 7 a length of tube provided with jointing means atone vend comprising a collar'fixed on the end of the tube having a reduced end por tion, a relatively long and resilient rubber ring on said reduced portion of a diameter 7 equal to the shoulder formed by such reduction, a sleeve fitting loosely over said collar and rubber ring, and at the other end a collar slidably mounted on the end ofthe'tube, a spring behind same acting to press the col lar towards the end of the tube, a relatively long and resilient rubberring on the said tube of the same diameter as the adjacent part of the collar and a sleeve fitting over said ring and said, collar, the ends of the collars in each case engaging the rings being free toenter the sleeves surrounding the rings 7 so as to maintain the pressure, as set forth. 7

v 2. In a radiator tubew according t Claim 1, a fixed collar having a relatively restricted through, passage, as set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name tothis specification. 1 V

ALFRED EDWIN HUGHES. 

